Maybe you live in the wrong town? I had my first babe in San Francisco where no one blinked that I had a doula and wanted to have an epidural-free birth if possible. I was even induced (doc's orders) with my first and anyone who has even been on pitocin will tell you there is no break between those hard contractions. I credit my doula with getting me through it. My husband was supportive but didn't quite know what he was doing either.

My second was born in Portland and when I told people I was using a midwife + that I wanted a second epidural-free birth people were all, "Tell me something I haven't heard before." My wish was so normal for that community that no one batted an eyelash. ...but I was asked why I wasn't having a baby at home in a tub.

(If I ever had a third I would totally do it at home in a tub, FTR.)

Why I chose to go the "natural" route: I wanted control over my body. I have a freaklishly high-tolerance for pain (yoga helped prepare me A LOT.) I wanted a quick birth if I could possibly help it, and quick both births were. (#1 6 hr labor, baby born in 2 pushes; #2 5hr labor, baby born in 1 loooong push.) I also wanted a quick recovery where I wasn't totally out of it.

I think a lot depends on where you live and what is deemed "normal" for that community, and THAT depends on how readily alternative resources area available. Are there birthing centers and hynobirthing centers and midwives and doulas supporting the community? If yes, then I bet women are a lot more educated about their options.

Good luck, Morra! And if you have any questions, just holla!

Stefania Pomponi Butler

Okay, I stumbled across this via another mom's blog, and I have to be honest - It kind of freaked me out. Google "orgasmic birth." It sounds weird, but it's basically a pro-natural-childbirth website. It's an interesting perspective on the experience. 

I had my son via c-section (he was a week late, I was induced, and he still didn't budge), but I had dreamed of going the natural route. I just couldn't do it, but I still have that dream... 

My epidural came UNDONE during my hours of labor (also in SF, by the way, where I did feel like a freak among my women friends for wanting an epidural), and nobody noticed... my husband thought my back was drenched from sweat. We found out later it was pretty much leaking the whole time. Finding myself in deep-lung-screaming mode might not have happened if I had "trained" and been prepared mentally for natural childbirth! Yow. It just wasn't in the plan.

I ended up with a c-section, as my son pounded his little head on my pelvic bone for hours, and his heart rate started dropping... Is it possible that there are more c-sections these days that simply result in the saving of more babies?

KeegsMom blogs at:

KIDSFLIX

 My first two were free of all medication, natural, etc.  Well, not all medication. Number 2 son was a little reluctant to come into the world, so they did have to administer pitocin, which I never, ever recommend to anyone. But no painkillers, no epidural, none of that.

 Last kid I did have an epidural and I have to say, I didn't regret it. The birth was rapid and easy, I didn't fight her like I did the others, and she was the most relaxed of the three kids as a baby.

 Of course, this is completely anecdotal. I will not forget the exhilaration or the pain involved with the first two, nor do I regret choosing to be drug-free. By the time I got to the third, I was really just interested in not hurting as much...I was tired :)

Best of luck to you. You ARE in control of your body and your birth experience. Don't let the docs try to talk you out of it because it might inconvenience them.

karoli

odd time signatures (life)
bang the drum (politics)

Mine was completely natural (I hate the fact that just because you use painkillers, it's considered "not natural"), but I had an epidural for the pain and I'm very glad I did. I had the experience, I felt the contractions, I was more than 8cm by the time I got to the hospital. I think it's great if you want to do it without painkillers.

I wanted to go for as long as I felt comfortable without them. It did not diminish my experience in the slightest to have the pain relief. I think the most important thing is for your family, friends and most especially medical caregivers to respect your decision.

Michelle writes at Michelle's Blog

We used the Bradley method; the classes, book and "practicing" our relaxation techniques were very helpful. We also had a doula, who helped with things like an exercise for getting the baby in the right position for birth.

No question, the hardest thing I've ever done, but I definitely want to go that route next time too. Others were amazed at how alert/normal I seemed after the birth (no drugs to recover from!) At the same time, if it turns out that you aren't able to go sans drugs, don't beat yourself up over it. Even our Bradley instructor said that there are appropriate times to get some pain relief. Just remember to ask questions when drugs/other interventions are suggested- what are the side effects of this (good and bad), what are the alternatives? An epidural isn't a cure-all.

Good luck! You can do it!!

Kara

Kara@MagnetStreet.com

www.NotesFromTheNest.com

A Cup of Tea with Beauty Secrest Spirit Soul &  Body (Duong)

Hi,

Yes, I promote natural birth. I had all three of my babies natural, no drugs, no iv's, had to really fight w/nurses who kept offering me drugs w/my second. I took a course called "The Bradley Method" It was amazing and really prepares you to have natural birth. My instructor was w/me for my first baby even. My 3rd baby, we didn't make to the hospital and actually pulled into the fire station near on our way to hospital. While by hubby went to get for help, my baby's head came out, and parademics got their in time to deliver the rest of him! I should have had the last baby home birth. He's 11 now, but if there was a next time--I would for sure have a home birth!'

PS-- just want to comment also that natural birth doesn't  mean having at home birth and also that each woman has her own level of pain and how to cope w/manage pain. There is no condemnation to anyone using drugs. My reasons are my own and I'm here to share and support the blogger who is interested in this route. Knowlege will help us make decisions right for us...hence after varying opinions, I'd suggest taking the route that is most comfortable for you that you most feel convicted about. 

When I took my Hypnobirthing classes over 4 years ago, my instructor handed out buttons that said, "Only positive birth stories please, my baby is listening." I loved that pin. :) Sounds like you need to track one down. 

Btw, two births w/o epidurals here. The first one was not med-free, but was epidural-free. The second was a home birth completely med-free.

The "high," if you will, you get after having a baby med-free is unlike anything else I've ever experienced. I was on cloud 9 for days and felt like I could take on the world. :) 

Go you!

Amy
Crunchy Domestic Goddess
BlogHers Act contributing editor

I had two natural births, and what you need is support!  Without my husband being very hands-on I'm not sure I could have done it.  It wasn't anything fancy - just getting me water, rubbing my back, helping to change position, that sort of thing.  My friends who had doulas rave about them, and the statistics are that those who have doulas have lower rates of complications, interventions, and drug use, so that's also an option for you.

Good luck, and I hope you have a great birth!

 ~ Amber

www.strocel.com

 I've given birth to 5 children and each birth was different. The best by far were the ones that were natural. The absolute best was the unassisted birth at home but I realize that isn't for everyone. 

You want to know something I've observed? Most of the people who push the drugs have never evenattempted to have a natural, drug-free birth. They've let the fear take over from the get go. Now, me...I've had highly medicalized and drugged childbirths and I've had totally natural and instinctual births where my body was the only one in charge. I have something to compare. Do the drug-free :)

Oh...and as far as celeb natural birthers? Pamela Anderson is a natural childbirthing mom. Waterbirthing,I believe, at home. An unlikely role model for som, I know but I think it counts for something!

Jupiter's Blog

... reluctant babies that that need help?

If I had been on my own, I don't know that my son would have made it... there was no way he was coming out... and between him being ..."stuck" and me having killer Pitocin contractions (he was almost two weeks late, we waited and waited!) the pain was really unbearable. I thought *I* wouldn't make it!

I hear all these wonderful stories of drug-free birthing and wonder why they didn't seem to have the same level of completely insane pain I did... and those births usually seem uncomplicated, e.g., they didn't need a doctor to get involved. Hm. Luck?

I only had the one. That was enough for me (puking every a.m. for 8 months was no fun, either!).

But I'd go through it all again for my wonderful son! And Morra, you should be able to find tons of support for your own natural birth decision! Just make sure you're not far from help if you need it (my unsolicited advice).

KeegsMom blogs at:
KIDSFLIX

 that it is the beginning of what we pray will be a long and wonderful life with your child.  It is not a test.  It is not a predictor of your relationship with your body.  It is certainly not something that anyone but you (and Nicco) has a right to determine.  I once read a book that said "childbirth is just a doorway, not the room."   I'ts really important to remember this.

There is no success/failure if you require a CSection (if you trust your Dr. so that you don't feel pushed into it) nor is there success/failure if you choose medication.  I was in very intense labor with my first son and at the end had a shot of Demerol.  I just couldn't manage it.  I however loved being in labor - both times.  Why?  Because I learned what my body was capable of, how powerful was the birth force within each of us. 

When we talk about "having control" over our bodies, I assume it means pushing and bringing your child into the world, not controlling when you will have a contraction or how intense it will be.  Sure you can control, through breating etc, your reaction but those contractions will come when they come and your body will astonish you.  To this day it is one of the most profound experiences of my life - because I felt the power within each of our bodies.  We are Amazons.

SO.  Do NOT let anyone set you up to "succeed" or "fail."  The arrival of this new person is the success.  The amazing journey you'll set out upon with him/her is the success.  You will do the best you can.  You will use the method you've chosen and be flexible if it isn't working the way you want it to.  You will spent at least part of your labor being pissed at how much it hurts and the rest just in awe of the whole thing.  This is not your mother-in-law's birth, or your mother's birth, or the epidural brigade's birth.  It's yours and Nicco's and the baby's.  Everybody else should shut up.

Cynthia Samuels, Partner
Cobblestone Associates, LLP
Blog and Media Strategies and Content Development Online and on Television   

Don’t
Gel Too Soon

I'm not a mum or pregnant yet, but it is starting to be on my radar and as my partner is American I will most likely have babies in the States. In my country (NZ) we have wonderful maternity care, mostly done by midwives but you can choose doctors (for free, all covered by government) and we have a great approach to birthing I think. The midwife stays with you in the months leading up to the birth, does the birth and then does home visits after. People treat them almost like a member of the family!

Our cesearean rate is pretty low still and I believe it's mostly for people who need it (I don't think you can really just "opt" for one without a good reason) and there is a philosophy of not interferring too much with a natural process. Epidurals can prolong labour I believe and make ceasarean much more likely, for example.

I'm pretty scared that I"ll be treated like a weirdo hippy in the States when I'm pregnant actually so I was happy to read your post and realise I might not be the only one.

Like a couple of other folks here, I used the Bradley Method when I gave birth to my daughter almost two years ago. I was proud of my choice and told everyone who cared to listen that I was going to try to give birth with no interventions. Like you, I was utterly astounded at the attitudes of most people when I told them. It got to the point that I stopped telling people because I didn't want to deal with the shocked looks or knowing pats on the head. I even got into a fight with my mother once when she questioned why I wanted to do it. She couldn't understand that I didn't want to try and calm other people's anxiety about what I was going to do when I had my own anxiety to contend with. I just wanted someone to say "You can do it!!".

In the end I did do it, even though I was fully prepared to have to give up on my birth plan at any point, especially if my daughter was in danger. I understand that natural or intervention free childbirth is not the right choice for everyone, but it was for me.

One thing I couldn't get enough of when I was pregnant was stories of other people who had done it free of interventions. And once it was over, I couldn't get enough of telling my story. In case you are interested at all, my birth story is here. And I love talking about it, so feel free to drop me a line!

I am pregnant with my second now, due in April, and am looking forward to another intervention free birth, although I think this time I won't share my birth plan with as many people, and if I do, at least I can say - Yeah, I did it last time, so step OFF.

Oh, and Morra - You can do it!!!!

Jennifer Powers

http://justpowers.com

I recommend you have your birthplan in writing and you share it with your doctor and all doctors who may attend if your doctor isn't there.  Share it with all of the nurses in the birth center as well.  Let them know you understand complications can happen, write in how you want those situations handled and let thme know that they are not to suggest drugs to you.  If you want them you can ask.  That can be the beginning of a downward spiral.  My first child I intended to be natural, but being in the hospital increased my adrenalin and slowed my progress.  They immediatly started threatening me with a c-section.  I took some medications, which I regret and narrowlly evaded an epidural.  I felt like someone beat the crap out of me the next day.  My second was totally natural.  I stayed home until the last minute, and the nurses were unable to intervene.  They had to let the process run naturally.  I had a wonderful experience, and was out of the hospital in 4 hours.  I didn't even feel like a had given birth the next day.  Know your patient bill of rights so the personnel can't use your ignorance against you to medically intervene too soon, and surround yourself with good supportive people who know what you want and can advocate for you. Throroughly educate yourself on your options, and keep in mind what the hospital birth classes teach you is hospital procedures, not natural birth.

Good luck, you'll do fine. 

http://omnivoresdelight.blogspot.com

I think you should do what you feel comfortable with...after all, women gave birth without painkillers for thousands of years before epidurals were invented.

And maybe it is the area of the country.  I live in Chicago and was regarded as a freak that I already knew I wanted drugs well ahead of my due date.  I've already battled chronic illness for a few decades and, well, it was my choice to want an epidural.  But I could have CARED LESS if anyone else had drugs or went natural.  Everyone is different.

However, having total strangers ask me my birthing plans while I was on the bus or in line at a store was pretty common and, frankly, pretty disturbing.  Here's an example, I was buying a couple of books in a bookstore when I was 7 months along. The cashier asked me when I was due and I told her.  Then she said, "But of course, you're having a drug free birth."  It wasn't a question.  It was a statement.  A command.

I froze.  I WANTED to say, "Um, excuse me.  What is your name, Ms Cashier?  You don't even know me."  Instead, I smiled weakly and turned away.  Why should I have been made to feel shame over such a personal choice?

Ditto for you.  This is your choice.  Those who want to judge need to mind their own damn business. Go drug free and be confident in your choice as I was confident in mine.

Childbirth is scary and in our isolated and isolating society it's gotten out of control how much (mostly negative) hype surrounds the process.  And of course, it doesn't help when advocates for some practices are not just vocal but make others and their decisions feel invalidated.

 For me, all I have to say is that I've slowly learned that what worked for me once (a drug-free, intervention-free, scalpel-free childbirth) may not work for me again (though I hope so) or for anyone else.  I had a supportive husband and a supportive birth environment and I'd made up my mind firmly as to my wants and desires; others may not have the same factors helping them going into labor.

I wish you the best in your childbirthing experience, and I would love to read your birth story if you decide to share it.

 Maria (http://www.madamemeow.com)

I'm going for drug-free next time. It was my goal last time too. I was doing great on my own until the doctor decided I needed Pitocin. My breathing suddenly couldn't keep up with the painful, fast contractions and an epidural was the only way to get back some semblance of a normal pace. The downside was that I was stuck on my back, fighting gravity, for the rest of the delivery.

I'm making some demands next time:

-- Fewer people in the room. Who the heck were all of those random nurses and doctors who kept marching in and out while I was in labor? And was it my imagination or was there a group of students staring down my birth canal at some point?

-- I'm wearing my own clothes. I don't care if I have to find a Butterick pattern for a hospital gown and make my own in a good color that's the right size. Maybe some cute darts in the bustline or something... or a train.

-- I'm holding my baby after he's born. I don't care if his head is on backwards, I'm going to touch him before he's whisked away. No more of this "see him in five hours" thing that happened last time.

-- No drugs just because the doctor's shift is ending and he wants to get to dinner. I'm not naming names or anything, but we overheard a nurse say something about the OB's dinner plans right before I was given Pitocin. Last time, we were young, we did what we were told. Next time, when I hear "Pitocin," my first question will be: "Have reservations somewhere?"

-- Turn off the tv. Someone put on the television and I didn't think to ask them to turn it off. My entire team of "professionals" was busy watching Wild on Mardi Gras (no joke) as I was pushing. Talk about feeling ignored.

Every birth show on tv has women being given Pitocin even though  they are not over due.

That IS scary.

That said....women need to just take ownership of birth..whatever way you do it.

Research, talk to doctors....be ready FOR ANYTHING! 

Look for me at http://crunchycarpets.com or check out the ladies at www.wetcoastwomen.com

I read Henci Goer's Thinking Woman's Guide to a Better Birth before my son was born (in 2005).  I felt very well informed and resilient about what medical interventions I would and would not agree to during my labor/delivery.  I hired a doula.  My husband is much more trusting of "conventional" medicine than I and wasn't too keen to my natural plans.  I had a "traditional" ob and hospital birth planned, in spite of my resolve for as little medical intervention as possible. 

I am certainly not going to post my entire birth story here, but to make a long story short, I ended up having a c-section after being induced... the farthest thing from what I had written in my birth plan.  I ended up scheduling a c-section for my second because I didn't want to go there again and be that disappointed, feel that guilty over the failure of how I really wanted my children brought into this world.

I'm not trying to discourage anyone.  I know there are many things I could have done to strenghten my resolve and have a different outcome.  (Definately finding more support for natural childbirth in society at large would've helped, which I think was the point of your post.)  I also know many people who had successful natural births.  Just be prepared for anything to happen.  Because getting over that guilt of things not turning out the way I had planned was worse than the physical healing.  And I still got two healthy, beautiful children out of the deal! 

Becky W.

I blog about my family and life in general at http://nooniebug.blogspot.com

Had my Sophie in the ambulance while it was cruising between the borders of Lao PDR and Thailand.  The birth in itself took me 15 minutes. It was absolutely drug-free (obviously) since there was only a Thai nurse with me who speaks so little english.  I was in pain and she keep on saying in a small panicky voice "Hospital is near madame...its ok."  To make it short, I delivered the baby while trying not to fall OUT of the gurney AND trying my best not to scare the young nurse.  

The downside of ambulance birth?  I was lucky the birth was uneventful-- no complication whatsoever, unless you count the ugly episiotomy I had to undergo when I got to the hospital.    And yes, it was really messy and I totally ruined a nice underwear! (LOL)

Alma

From a non-practicing MD:

I think that natural childbirth is a terrific goal, and I would agree with you that medicine as it is practiced today sometimes relies too heavily on the use of drugs.  I am also considering a natural birth in 5 or so years, but (right now) am not absolutely opposed to some medication.

Disclaimer - these observations are not meant to be advice, and are based on my own experience on labor and delivery and ob-gyn wards; please consult your own physician or doula as to what is appropriate for your situation.

Some of the common concerns, such as being out of it with painkillers, or having a less responsive baby because of medications, are due to pain medications being used late in labor.  An epidural blocks the mother's nerves in the spinal canal; the anesthetic is not circulated in the bloodstream and therefore should affect the fetus minimally.  However, if a woman decides late in labor that she needs pain meds, an intravenous formulation may need to be used for quicker pain relief, and that can affect the fetus.  Also, recovery from IV drugs is generally harder on patients than epidurals, since it remains circulating in your bloodstream until your liver/kidneys process it out. 

One major factor in pregnancies and births today is the advancing of maternal age, helped by IVF and other technologies that allow women to have kids increasingly later in life.  Generally young women <25 have a much easier time giving birth, and recovering from it, than 35 year olds.  The muscle tone is different, bodies are more resilient, etc.  Birth is a VERY strenuous process, but there's no real way to train for it.  You can just "condition" yourself to be in good shape for it.

Given that 30+ moms are more and more common, I would hope that doctors are
more likely to be concerned about healthy births and infection risk,
rather than putting moms on a convenient schedule.  It's just that our
training focuses on using pharmaceutical interventions, so that's the
automatic reflex.  (When I was in school, I had to seek out electives
in alternative therapies such as acupuncture, which were actually very
good once I found the classes.)

The most important thing, whether you give birth at home in the tub, or in the hospital with a full epidural, or anything in between, is to make sure that you and your physician are on the same page as to what you want.  Also have a backup plan in case things do not go as planned.  If you are super stressed during labor, it may impact your baby's heart rate and the need to deliver earlier... but if you are relatively comfortable with the process (mentally, at least) it will help facilitate a smoother birth.

Best of luck with your child's birth!

RTW

http://renaissancetrophywife.wordpress.com

I had all three of my kids naturally, I did use a Doula with the first two.  I did do a Lamaze class with my first.  A doula is a birth support person, they are there to support you during prenatal, labor, delivery, and postpartum.  I cannot say enough about the use of a Doula, ours was worth every penny.  I was more open to listening to her during labor than my husband.  My doula had give birth to 3 children herself all naturally.  

My logic to a natural birth; 1.  My mother did it as did her mother and all the women before me in my family, 2.  I hate needles, 3.  I know several women who had complications from the epidural. 

Good Luck and you know your own body and how strong you truely are.

Jennifer  

http://amommyonamission.blogspot.com/

Hypnobirthing rocks, IMHO. Granted, I am total poster-child for it (zero pain, with pitocin, 9 lb 6 oz baby, 4.5 hour labor; zero pain and almost no effort, twins, 4.5 hour labor, double vaginal breech in hospital - single-footling/double-footling extraction, and yes that was in an OR in case of mishaps, anesthesiologist ready and waiting). First child was an epidural after 66 hours of labor with no progress (going to 80 total hours before he was born), but I hadn't done hypnotherapy that time. No need to feelsorry for me (or awe, either), it was a pretty easy labor, just LONG (malpositioning issue). 

BIG doula advocate, as well. Two doulas first time, two second time (different two), ONLY one the third time (gasp!). Doulas saved that first labor and birth, no question at all. I've also doula'd for another HB mom (actually my instructor), and have the utmost respect for people who do this a lot. It's emotionally and physically demanding.

I agree that once things start, it's all in the responding, and you don't know where you'll end up. First go, I did not expect epidural and 80 hours of labor before finally giving birth in the hospital (transfer from birth center). Second time, I didn't expect to show polyhydramnios literally on my due date and get risked out from the birth center (sigh) and end up with an OB on the opposite end of the spectrum from me. Third time, I didn't expect twins (found out at 20 weeks), but knew better than to pin anything down in my head - I prepped with hypnotherapy for everything from a total anesthesia c-section to a double vaginal breech accidental homebirth. Ended up in the middle, there - double vaginal breech no meds, but in the OR with an OB that I'd never seen before (who was at least breech experienced - first twin breech is not the recommended route!!). 

My concerns with epidurals were a) changes condition of the muscle tone of the uterus, even if it has 'worn off' later it isn't quite the same; b) cascade of maternal side effects including being unable to change positions effectively, BP drops, pushed fluids for BP issues, etc. At the same time, if you need one, and you've really done your best (including the doula), and it is a valid medical decision in your exact case, and you trust your care provider to be straight with you on that, then no guilt or even much regret - just do what must be done in the moment. At the same time, seriously, if you can get low to no pain AND no drugs, why would you want to opt for drugs? Hence hypnotherapy. Practice often and hard. 

I got a bit of that attitude (the 'uh, yeah, whatever you say, dearie'), but a lot of my peers were in the pharma world, and knew enough to be very suspicious of any meds, not for the target use of the med, but of the many subtle side-system effects issues. They mainly went for 'practice for natural, willing to go for meds without guilt if needed' middle ground. They ended up about 1/3 natural births or very late or light meds, 2/3 medicated births (some of them entirely fear-induced by OBs), and a lower than typical rate of c-sections (none of them seeming to be medically iffy, even). It was a good peer set for breastfeeding and pumping at work, too. I guess I got lucky (though really, I think people familiar with too much about drugs tend to be both cautious and sensible about it). 

As for the whole childbirth is scary thing - I think that's a definite issue. We're taught to fear it (okay, culturally. My mom loved childbirth as a raw and authentic and powerful experience, I grew up expecting to love childbirth, and yep, I *love* giving birth. When we decided we were done, I wept not over not having more kids, but because I would never feel that powerful, physical, passionate, sure, centered, potent, spiritual, unified state of being again. I could skip pregnancy, and give birth over and over. Okay, so skip the recovery, too, LOL! But from the first contractions through that slippery livery placental expulsion, that's ... well, no words. Just awe.)

There's a link to my preg/birth story over at my blog, and I've talked about hypnobirthing a bit there, too. You're welcome to consider me a peer if you want...  I'm in my early 40's, is that close enough?

Hands Full of Rocks: http://hedra.typepad.com

Even though I'm one of those women who had their babies "way back when" (1981 and 1983), I want to add my two cents, for what it's worth!

If doulas had been available back then, I would have had one in a heartbeat.  As it was, I was one of the first to use the "Alternative Birth Center" in our local hospital.  The joy of that is they often forgot I was there and so my husband and I were pretty much left alone for most of my labor.  At the time, you couldn't have ANY meds in the ABC so I knew if I even asked for a tylenol, I would be moved to a traditional labor adn delivery room.  I'm sure that had a bearing on my going completely drug-free.

BUT...I'm of the opinion that every woman has the right to manage her own birthing style.  I'm not better or more amazing because I had two drug-free births.  Although I experienced back labor with the first and had a terrible tear with the second,  there was nothing life-threatening to either my babies or myself either time.  

Each situation is different:  we have different levels of pain tolerance, different birth positions, possibly different complications.  We really shouldn't be judging each other.

My advice?  Just have a plan ahead of time (you won't feel much like making one up on the spot!) but be willing to go with the flow and not beat yourself up afterward.  Be informed and make sure your doctor is on the same page that you are.

And then enjoy your wonderful baby! 

Did three births with an epidural and two without.  The last two (the ones without) were the way I wish my first three could have been.  The one thing that helped more than anything else -- being in a birthing tub during labor.  In fact, with the first natural one (child #4) the pain was so much less than anything I'd experienced with my other three, even with medication!, that I couldn't believe I was ready to deliver.  I remember saying, "I can't have the baby yet!  It doesn't hurt enough!"  The water was just so soothing.

 You can do this naturally.  Ignore the naysayers.   Just be prepared to move and change position.  I believe that if I'd had #4 and 5 in a hospital I probably would have had medication with them.  Being at home meant I could be on my feet and rock through the contractions, or get in the shower and relax.  I'm not saying don't do a hospital birth (unless you want me to say that then by all means, homebirth away!), just saying don't sit in that bed and suffer.  It's much easier to have a natural childbirth if you do things that make you comfortable naturally. 

Good luck!!

Wow! Reading the post and all the comments made me feel so excited to become a Mom one day. I'll go for natural childbirth when the time comes. I would like to experience the "pain", "the push", "the breathe" until I tell my husband to tell the nurse to inject me with painkiller. :D  Wish I won't experience what my sister had gone thru, the baby naturally came out soooo fast, it just wreck her down there (ewww) she can't sit for weeks. And that's what I call super duper natural childbirth. 

Gigi Win

I blog about:

Feng Shui and Everything Fancy 

When I was pregnant I had this idea that I would have a natural birth.  I was ready for the pain and to experience all of it.  Then I had some complications, causing me to be induced, "for the sake of the baby's health" they said. 

I was given pitocin and my plan went out the window.  The contractions were awful and my OB claimed it was from the pitocin.  Unfortunately, that drug didn't induce labor like it should have.  I was having these "mini" contractions on and off for nearly 24 hours, but I couldn't sleep so the doctor broke my water and offered the epidural so I'd get some rest before the real pushing began.  I gave in.  I don't know if it was weakness, or frustration or exhaustion or a combination of all three.

Just before the labor went into full swing, the epidural "broke" and they had to remove it. My legs were still numb, but I was beginning to "feel" my baby being delivered.  

Not the natural experience I wanted, but I think it was right for me.  If I ever have another child, I might try natural.  Just to see if I can do it.  I think I'm stronger now than I was the first time around.  Also, reading the book Deliver This! several years after Dawson was born, opened my eyes to all the different childbirth method available to us.

Good luck, Morra! 

My little girl turns 3 in a couple weeks, and we also went the drug-free route.  We had some twists and turns, but the important thing was she and I were healthy after the ordeal.  I write about my labor and delivery experience on my blog (link to blog below) in the Pregnancy Category.

My advice (not that you asked for any) is to hire a Doula.  Focus on your Hypnobirthing Classes (we used some Bradley and some Hypnobirthing and my Doula was a great help in acting as a liaison between us and the hospital staff). We had a birth plan written with the understanding that should a medical emergency arise, we would default to the doctor's judgment. 

(I reached my "goal" and made it to 10cm w/out the drugs, and it was "intense" but totally manageable with my training.  Without training and practice, it would have been overwhelming.  But, my daughter kept turning and by the time I could push, my cervix started swelling, and I went backwards, from 10 to 9 to 8...so on.  They ended up giving me an epidural so slow the contractions to give my cervix a chance to stop swelling.  Had that not happened, I would have ended up with a C-section.)

It took a lot of power to give up my control in the situation, but I'd chosen a doctor that was fully on-board with my goals, and I trusted her judgment.  All's well that ends well.

The way you labor and deliver is such a personal choice, and I know that if you put your mind to it (again, barring any medical emergencies), you can do it drug-free.

Good luck!!

~Momma, The Casual Perfectionist  http://thecasualperfectionist.com

The fact that you've written such a wonderful and thoughtful post indicates that you are on the right track. I too planned for a completely natural hospital birth with a CNM. Labor became unmanageable when the midwife broke my water at 9cm. My daughter got stuck, and I ended up with a cesarean. I wasn't that bothered by it at the time - I still felt like I had done an amazing thing laboring through intense stomach/butt flu, pushing for hours breaking all of the blood vessels in my eyes, sucessfully nursing my daughter, recovering remarkably fast from the cesarean.

Somehow I had missed (or ignored?) the part where that cesarean scar alters how doctors PERCEIVE your uterus, your ability to birth, the size of your pelvis, and the "risk" in attending you. Uterine rupture was something I hadn't heard or read about (despite excellent independent childbirth ed) until my 6 week post-partum appointment. Doctors are really afraid of natural birth, it seems, because they're not in control. OBs are surgical specialists - that's what they're trained to do... perform interventions in labor & delivery. They are not trained to catch babies.

Fast forward to trying to conceive again in 2007. I was encouraged to join the ICAN yahoo group since I would be planning a VBAC. Whoa, what an eye opener. All of a sudden I became aware of defensive medical practices, doctor's dinner and sleep trends - when births take place and at what time (when they're aided by technology), uterine rupture rates in comparison to other potentially catastrophic birth risks (such as cord prolapse) and medical procedures that can cause birth loss (like amnio).

Add on top of that secondary infertility. I had a mass of adenomyosis removed from my uterus this past summer. That mass was LIKELY CAUSED by the cesarean in 2004. I've lost three pregnancies in a row.

When I carry to term again . . . I'll likely do it at home with a midwife. Two different OBs have given me opinions on my cesarean scar. Moments after coming to after an unwanted but necessary D&C for a 10 week loss, the OB told me that my scar was too thin to ever consider a VBAC. The surgeon who removed the adenomyoma said that my scar looked normal. I'll never forgive that nasty OB for her unkind timing during one of the WORST moments of my life. Much less... what an IDIOT. Of course my lower uterine segment would have been thinner. I had just gone through labor and my cervix was fully dialated.

Anyway, I guess the point is that sometimes what seems like it'd make sense. "When I rupture your membranes the baby will just slide out" turns into a cesarean. That scar changed my life. Forever. For better or worse, my birth experiences will NEVER be the same, and my options are severely limited because of that scar.

Phew! I think I needed to get that out of my system!

~ Kimberly, http://labortrials.wordpress.com

 With my first I planned on a 100% naturalbirth but 20 some odd hours into labor my doctors told me to get an epidural or that I would wind up with a Csection. 22 and scared, I believed them. HA! That epidural was done improperly & lasted only an hour.

My next 3 children were 100% pain med free, though with 2 of them I did get pitocin.

Baby 4 was exactly how I wanted it. I had the baby shortly after I arrived at the hospital, leaving the staff no time to invent reasons to intervine with pitocin or push meds my way.

Natural child birth can be done and let me tell you, after you do it you'll feel POWERFUL. There are 2 stumbling blocks on the path to natural birth : the medical system and your own fear. Luckily pregnancy gives you 9ish months to figure out how to get around both of those

Fidget

Finding Yourself Despite Yourself 

I think I must be the 1 in a zillion who actually have a positive epidural experience. Both of my deliveries involved an epidural, largely because I have almost no tolerance for pain.  I admire those who can deliver without interventions, but I am so NOT capable of doing so.  Anyway, my first one allowed me to get through a very slow laboring process (baby broke the bag of waters at 37 weeks; absolutely no contractions when my water broke) and I pushed for about 30 minutes once I finally dilated to 10 cm.  The anesthesiologist only gave me partial boosts so that I could feel the contractions and push effectively--he said he wanted to just "take the edge" off the pain.

The second one (15 months later, I might add) was even better.  Epidural allowed me to go to sleep, and when the time came to push, I could reposition my feet in the stirrups of the birthing bed and could actually sit up to tilt my pelvis towards the ground to allow gravity to "help."  2.5 pushes (one was sort of wimpy; what can I say?  I'm not a morning person and it was 7:30am) and my daughter was born while I was sitting up on the birthing bed.

I never had the option for a doula, but I insisted on having a woman OB/GYN who had given birth herself.  Actually, she was a neighbor and was pregnant part of the same time I was both times! 

I came across your blog from a friend's site and was intrigued by the title.  2 years ago I was saying the same thing.  I'd always planned on a natural birth - frankly unless there were major complicating factors I couldn't see why women would want any intervention!  That all scares me a hell of a lot more than pain. Everyone couldn't wait to tell me how horrible it was and how I couldn't live without drugs. It really pissed me off.  I needed one of those pins the PP mentioned!!

My husband and I took Hypnobirthing and found it wonderful in so many ways - especially in decreasing fear around the birth. We knew our daughter would have special needs and I was nervous about her arrival.  Hypnobirthing helped me deal with those feelings. 

I labored for 21 or so hours at home - very comfortably with Hypnobrithing techniques.  I went to the hospital when my membranes released (in the tub conveniently!) and our daughter arrived an hour later.  I'll be honest - it got tough at the end.  But I went from 6cm to baby in about 45 mins which is fairly intense!  I felt pretty good after and only took Motrin for the pain (and I had a pretty unusual tear that was bad enough to need additional repair a few weeks later)   

Best of luck to you!!   

...a place where you must frequently set aside other people's opinions and follow your gut!  I say, good for you.  Despite social pressures to "get over it" when it comes to your desire for a natural childbirth, you're pressing forward to do it your way. 

I wanted a natural childbirth too.  My first baby was born sans epidural.  It was incredible in so many ways.  Mostly, I just needed to know I could do it - I wanted to feel the strength of my own body.  And I admit...I was freaked out by the idea of having a needle stuck into my spine!

For my second child, I had the epidural.  Partly because I wanted a different experience - wanted to know what it was like with the drugs.  And yes, partly because the first go-round was incredibly painful. But it's childbirth...I doubt you're under any illusions that it will be easy or pain free.

My 3rd and 4th births were with the epidural.  I guess that speaks for itself, in case you were wondering which method I prefer!

Can I give some unsolicited advice (again, part of motherhood I suppose!)?  Go easy on yourself.  In your quest for a natural chilbirth, don't put pressure on yourself to only be "successful" if you get it done without the epidural.  A healthy baby and mom are the two factors in determining success...how you get there is between you, your husband, your doctor/midwife, and God. 

I also really recommend giving birth in a hospital.  I know...many home births are successful.  But there are SO many little things that can go wrong, and that can be life threatenig for you or baby...but that are almost no big deal if you're in a hospital equipped to deal with stuff like that.  If my experience is any indicator, you can still have your natural childbirth in a hospital.  Hosipitals are very open to your way of doing things these days (especially after you shout "NO, I DO NOT WANT THE DRUGS!" at them several times ;)  Just kidding! ).

Blessings and peace and good health for your family :)

You can do it!

Perhaps you can learn from my mistakes and successes.

Birth #1 I wanted natural, sought care of my OB that I'd always been to (a childless female doctor). She was not really into natural births. I read a couple of books on the topic. Dr. sent me to hospital birth class which mostly pushed drugs and interventions but was okay with natural. Showed a scary movie in class that showed natural as a horrid experience though. Went into labor two hours after OB went on vacation so I was with covering Dr. My water had broken. Hospital nurse was mean and yelling at me and pushed me into the epidural while DH was at the car getting my bags and all my "stuff' (music pillow etc.)  She even demanded to know who my birth teacher was as she said it is not their job to tell us we can have a natural birth (!!). I will skp the worst part move right to my child went into distress and needed vacuum extraction after almost 3 hours of pushing. He was 9 lb 7 oz. The recovery was terrible for me (I'll skip the details.) Baby had trouble nursing due to drugs IMO. There are negative affects on babies sometimes but not everyone will tell you this, the research is there.

Before PG#2 I read ---PLEASE READ THIS BOOK---Birthing from Within. Felt I could do it natural next time. Got a new provider, a midwife working for an OB with philosophy of natural childbirth with no interventions (not even continuous fetal monitoring). I also hired a lay midwife to act as doula in the hospital birth. That baby went past 40 weeks and was born completely natural with zero intervenions and weighed 11 lb 11 oz. I felt great during and after birth except I pulled my back muscle due to the labor and pushing him out. Midwife also used pressure technique so I would not tear and I didn't tear! No episiotomy! Baby had no side effects and nursed wonderfully. As soon as the baby was out I was back to normal feeling, nothing like the way I felt after the epidural.

 Both times when in transition I felt panic and I could not do it. That is normal.

 The worst thing about labor and the first baby is you don't know what to expect or how long it will go.

Surround yourself with people who will support you and you can do it. A doula will help your husband as he won't be relied upon to be your main coach. It was a relief for my DH to have the doula for baby #2 and he tells all men to get one for their wives' birth.

If your doctor is not on board with natural method then find one who is.

You can do it. You can do it.

a good coach..my husband was awesome...even for helping me deliver a stillbirth...

"as he won't be relied upon to be your main coach." 

Look for me at http://crunchycarpets.com or check out the ladies at www.wetcoastwomen.com

I have 4 kids.  The first 2 I had an epidural and it was awful.  Recovering from an epidural is not easy for my body.  My 3rd I was determined to go natural but caved at the last minute and got the epi.  #4 I was much more prepared and finally did it.  It hurt, but it wasn't awful.  The recovery was so much better.  What was worse than pushing my daughter out?  Having the doctor rip the placenta ou